Live-Blogging Obama’s Town Hall Meeting

President Barack Obama is holding a town hall meeting this afternoon to discuss his proposed health care overhaul at Shaker Heights High School in Cleveland.

Prior to the town hall, the president toured the Cleveland Clinic with Ohio Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland. Obama has pointed to the clinic as an example of a facility that is providing quality care for reasonable costs—a model he would like to extend to the U.S. health care system.

Associated Press

President Barack Obama speaks during a town hall on health care at Shaker Heights High School in Shaker Heights, Ohio.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced that the full Senate wouldn’t vote on health care until after the August congressional recess. Obama has pushed for a vote before that break.

The live-blog will begin shortly.

2:26: Town hall starts, a little late. There’s a first-person account from Rick Vacha, a retired Teamster, on his familiy’s health care situations. “There’s so many people without health care. It’s a shame, a real shame,” he says, who tears up when talking about care for his grandchild. “Health care needs to be fixed, we’re very lucky we have a president who can see the damage it’s doing to millions of people.” (This gets a cheer from the crowd)2:30: Obama enters the gym. Hugs, high-fives, smiles, cheers, etc. The president notes Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland is in attendance, as well as Sect. of State Brunner, Cleveland mayor Frank Jackson, the mayor and school superintendent of Shaker Heights.2:33: “My only concern is the people who sent us to Washington,” he says. “Change was the cause of my campaign and the cause of my presidency.”2:34: Obama offers his routine stump speech on the economic situation he inherited, and how his administration had to act immediately. He defends their actions as necessary and prudent. Highlights: extending unemployment insurance, funding for infrastructure projects. “There’s no doubts that the steps we’ve taken have helped stave off even greater disaster.”2:37: Obama says the American peoples struggles are what he thinks about “every minute of every day.” And he asks for patience and time. “But I promise you, Ohio, we will get there.” A person in the crowd shouts, “I love you!” Obama responds in kind: “I love you back.”2:39: We’re doing this so everyone can have affordable quality health care, Obama says, acknowledging that American families want to know what’s in it for them. He reiterates his pledges: You can keep your coverage if you want it; the insurance companies will have less sway by cherry-picking who and what they cover; “You won’t have to worry about receiving a surprise bill in the mail,” he said.2:42: Now, if the deficit is your concern, it’s mine too, Obama says. He bashes the Bush tax cuts and the last administration’s fiscal policies. “Folks have a lot of nerve who helped get us in this fiscal hole and then go around trying to talk about fiscal responsibility,” he says. (This gets a cheer). “I’m always surprised people don’t have a little more shame.”2:43: “The truth is, I am now president,” he says, more cheers. “And I’m responsible” to fix Washington. He pledges not to increase the deficit with this legislation, and offers his explanation on how to pay for it: two-thirds can be paid for by smarter spending and cost-cutting. And it won’t be paid for by the middle-class, he says. More cheers.2:46: Obama nods to the Cleveland Clinic which “has one of the best health information technologies in the country.” Obama says this is the twist about U.S. health care: better care often leads to cheaper care because it’s more efficient. That’s what organizations representing doctors and nurses have endorsed this bill, as well as the AARP.2:50: “We have never been closer to achieving quality, affordable health care for all Americans,” he said. (“Is that the air conditioner?” Obama segues, with a wink. “It’s a little warm.” This gets a laugh.) He takes another shot at Republicans seeking to defeat the bill. Points to RNC Chairman’s Michael Steele statement that it’s happening too soon. “If there isn’t a deadline in Washington, it doesn’t happen.” He notes Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said the vote won’t happen before August break. “That’s ok, just keep working.” He adds, “I want it done by the fall.”2:52: Obama says it’s “a little odd” to hear people say it’s too soon since reform debate has been raging since the Truman administration. “Reform may be coming to soon for Washington, but it’s not too soon for the American people.”2:53: Obama likens the health care battle to the race to the moon under President John F. Kennedy.2:54: QUESTIONS! “This is the fun part,” says Obama, who takes off his jacket and rolls up his sleeves noting, “I’m a little hot.” Here are the rules: there are no rules. No pre-programmed questions. “I’m just going to call on as many people as we can in the time that we have,” and it’ll go girl-boy-girl-boy.2:56: First question on if health care industry is funding reform. Questioner runs a home care agency. Notes Obama’s proposed budget includes dramatic cuts to payments. “I don’t think so,” Obama says, counters that the home care industry has endorsed the bill. Obama says the MedPac (Medicare Payment Advisory Commission) idea will help cut costs–there are proposals to give MedPac more authority to set payments. “The more that we’re encouraging efficient, smart care” that’s going to be good for everyone, he says.3:00: Second question on urging Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid to keep Congress in session to get it done. “I haven’t talked to him today,” Obama says, “My attitude is I want to get it right, but I also want to get it done promptly.” As long as folks keep working, he’s flexible on timing somewhat. Obama says people accused FDR of being a socialist. Kennedy was criticized for the moon. He can’t listen to critics and delay for sense of delay.3:03: Third question on Medicare, and the donut hole which affects senior citizens and the Part D prescription drug bill. Obama notes the drug industry has already put forward an $80 billion proposal to close the donut hole–this is why AARP has endorsed the bill.3:05: Fourth question from a junior in high school on how students can help get this passed. “I appreciate that” Obama says, because most young people think they are indestructible and represent many of the uninsured. Obama notes there is a proposal to allow parents to keep kids on health care policies until they are 25 years old. “I think activism right now…that’s something that everybody here needs to do because, frankly, they are hearing from the other side.” Obama emphasizes to make it personal when they lobby their members of Congress. “Tell them your stories,” he said, “Because sometimes this debate gets so abstract.”3:10: Fifth question on taxing employer based benefits. How would you make that equitable and fair? Obama said he’s opposed to taxing benefits people already receive. However, there is a plan floating in the Senate to tax certain benefits. Obama says he hasn’t endorsed it but it’s being discussed.3:13: Sixth question from the senior class president about how 19-29 year olds make up a significant amount of the uninsured. “Anybody under the plan that we proposed and we’re seeing consensus in Congress about” would be able to go ahead and get insurance with help from the government if you can’t afford it. “I love LeBron James but he doesn’t need a federal subsidy to get health insurance,” he says.3:17: Seventh question from a registered nurse on coverage of mental health issues and other incentives to insurance companies on prevention and wellness. Obama says he’s long been a proponent of mental health care improvements, as well as preventative care.3:19: Eighth and final question from a high school freshman on how he can assure the American people that it’s not “too much, too fast” (a talking point from the GOP, no less). “Our target date to get this done in the fall, that’s the bottom line,” he said, and even then those changes would be phased in over several years. “We are going to phase this in in an intelligent and deliberate way.” Is it too much? “I don’t think it’s too much. It’s only too much by the standards of Washington politics today.”3:25: “Alright everybody, stay on your members of Congress. Keep up the heat. Thank you, I love you, good-bye.” Town hall ends.

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